Aroostook County Commissioners made it official, at their April 27 meeting, joining with more than two dozen County communities declaring May 2022 Aroostook County Action Program and Community Action Month in honor of the social service agency’s 50 years. The formal proclamation will kick off a month of events to recognize the milestone.
Both celebratory activities and community outreach to raise awareness and connect people with services are planned leading up to and on the official June 1 date when in 1972 the then Central Aroostook Action Program and St. John Valley Action Council formally merged to form ACAP. Anniversary events will continue with ACAP represented at summer festivals throughout the region, and other activities into the fall – with a few surprises in store.
“At a time when our services are seemingly needed more and by more households than at any other point in our five-decade history, ACAP is here for the families and individuals of Aroostook County. In May, and in the months that follow, we will be connecting directly with people across our County in local communities, both so they can more readily access services, as we work to meet our mission, but also to celebrate the resilience and spirit of our County, the people we have the honor of serving, and our dedicated ACAP team who have served with such dedication, care and compassion for five decades,” said ACAP Executive Director/CEO Jason Parent.
Events in the coming month across Aroostook County that are part of the 50th anniversary commemoration are as follows:
Tuesday, May 3
Weston: HEAP In Your Hometown – Weston Town Hall, 5 Church Lane, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open access/walk-in appointments for the Home Energy Assistance Program and information on all ACAP programs and services
Wednesday, May 4
Fort Kent: free community ice cream social – ACAP Fort Kent Center, 40 Alfalfa Street 2–4 p.m.
Merrill: HEAP In Your Hometown – Merrill Town Office, 3391 US Route 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, May 6
Presque Isle: IMPACT Spaces – Presque Isle Housing Authority Community Center, 37 Birch Street, 3 p.m. Youth-led and oriented activities, snacks and more for youth ages 13-18
Tuesday, May 10
Stockholm: HEAP In Your Hometown – Stockholm Town Office, 62 School Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11
Madawaska: free community ice cream social and HEAP in Your Hometown – ACAP Madawaska Office, 88 Fox Street 2-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17
Allagash: HEAP In Your Hometown – Allagash Town Office, 1063 Allagash Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18
Caribou: free community ice cream social – ACAP Caribou Center, 17 Bowles Road 2–4 p.m.
Eagle Lake: HEAP In Your Hometown – Eagle Lake Town Office, 36 Devoe Brook Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 19
Presque Isle: Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours and official ribbon cutting/opening of ACAP’s Katahdin Trust Company Community Services Suite at the newly renovated ACAP Customer Service Center at 771 Main Street, 4–7 p.m. Celebrate ACAP’s 50th Anniversary, the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of ACAP’s Customer Service Center at 771 Main Street in Presque Isle, tour the newly renovated space – including the Katahdin Trust Company Community Services Suite and also ACAP’s new Workforce and Family Investment Center. ACAP”s Prevention Team will be providing mocktails and information about how local businesses can provide trendy nonalcoholic beverages at upcoming work events. ACAP’s Workforce Development Team will be on-site to speak with area businesses on free services to help grow their workforce, including on-the-job-training and work experiences where ACAP supports the salary of the prospective employee.
Friday, May 20
Presque Isle: IMPACT Spaces – Presque Isle Housing Authority Community Center, 37 Birch Street, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24
Limestone: HEAP In Your Hometown – Limestone Town Office, 93 Main Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 25
Houlton: free community ice cream social – ACAP Houlton Center, 91 Military Street 2-4 p.m.
Ashland: HEAP In Your Hometown – Ashland Town Office, 17 Bridgham Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, May 31
St. John: Official Start of Planting Season and Sign Unveiling for the ACAP 50th Anniversary Potato Plot, 1258 St. John Road, 1 p.m. This event will serve as the kickoff to a growing season-long project to raise awareness of Aroostook’s proud agricultural roots/the potato industry, ACAP’s five decades of service to the people of Aroostook County, and efforts to solve the challenge of food insecurity in northern Maine. In addition to unveiling the sign and the kickoff to planting season, ACAP officials, host potato plot donor/growers the Pelletier Family, and representatives from Aroostook County’s own Northeast Packaging will launch an art design contest for a special ACAP 50th anniversary commemorative five-pound potato bag limited print. The potato bags, production for which will be donated by Northeast Packaging, will hold the fall harvest from the field and will be donated to area community cupboards and food pantries this fall.
Wednesday, June 1
Presque Isle: ACAP’s Official 50th Anniversary Birthday Celebration! – ACAP Customer Service Center, 771 Main Street (near Walmart) 1–4 p.m. Free birthday cake and ice cream, information on all ACAP services.
Any updates or additional information on upcoming events will be posted on the ACAP Facebook page. For more information on any of the ACAP 50th anniversary celebration and community outreach events, contact the ACAP Advancement Team at 207-554-4130.
